Clamp-on drapery ring



June 28, 1955 o. M. HANSON 2,711,555

CLAMP-ON DRAPERY RING DEiled May 29, 1953 INVENTOR. 0L 52 M //4/vs0/v ATI'OF/VEYS United States Patent 2,711,555 7 CLAMP-0N DRAPERY RING Oliver M. Hanson, San Jose, Calif.

Application May 29, 1953, Serial No. 358,336 Claims. (Cl. 16-871) The present invention relates to drapery rings, and pertains more particularly to a clip-on ring which can be easily attached to or removed from window drapes or curtains, such as those referred to in the trade as cafe" curtains.

In the past several attempts have been made to produce a clamp-on type of curtain ring or clip which would grip a curtain in a manner to create a pleated appearance, but which would leave the curtain flat for ease in laundering upon removal of the clips. Such prior clamp-on type rings have not met with widespread use, possibly because they were in some cases difficult to manipulate and in others failed to hold properly or were difficult or expensive to manufacture. It is of course essential that any curtain ring in order to sell in volume must be quite inexpensive, since ordinary sew-on or pin-on type rings or hooks of the type customarily used on curtains and drapes cost at most only a few cents each.

The present invention contemplates provision of an improved, inexpensive clamp-on type curtain ring. The invention further provides a clamp-on type curtain ring of resilient material with two semi-circular ring forming portions thereof normally sprung into laterally offset relation to each other, and may be deformed into interlatching continuous circular relation While at the same time gripping a pleated portion of a curtain to support it. A further object of the invention is to make a clamp-on type of curtain ring by pivotally interconnecting two similar half portions in relatively reversed position. A still further object of the invention is to provide a clamp-on curtain ring with jaws disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of a rod upon which is supported for forming and retaining upstanding pleats in an otherwise flat curtain.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a curtain suspended from a portion of a curtain rod by means of snap-on rings embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing, in solid lines, a ring similar to that shown in Fig. 2 in closed, gripping position, and, in broken lines, in open, releasing position.

Fig. 4 is a further enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the ring as it would appear when made of metal.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a matching ring for gripping an unpleated end portion of the curtain as shown at the righthand end of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified form of overlapping end structure for interlocking the two semi-annular portions of the ring.

Referring first to the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, a clamp-on drapery ring A is comprised of two substantially similar 'ice but reversed half ring portions 10 and 11. These portions 10 and 11in their relatively reversed condition shown in Fig. 4.are pivotally connected to each other by a pin 12 embedded for substantially half its length in each of the two half ring portions 10 and 11, respectively.

The half-ring portions 10 and 11 preferably are formed from a resilient or springy material such as a suitable molded plastic substance, and have jaws 14 and 15 respectively formed thereon to extend beyond the pivot pin 14. These jaws are formed to grip a fold 17 of a curtain B therebetween when the ring is in its closed position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and in solid lines in Fig. 3.

Since the half ring portions 10 and 11 are similar to each other except for one minor point which will be described later herein, it will be sufficient to describe one only thereof in detail.

Referring to the half ring portion 10, therefore, this member comprises a substantially semi-annular portion 19 of round cross sectional shape with the pivotally connected end thereof terminating in a flat face 20 disposed along a radial, axial plane of the semi-annular portion 19. The pivot pin 12 is positioned substantially centrally of each end face 20 and perpendicular thereto.

The free end 22 of the portion 19 is notched out on one side thereof at 23 to the depth of the mid-plane of the portion 19. This notched out portion is of a length to overlap the corresponding end portion of the other half ring portion 11 as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The overlapping portions thus fit together to form an uninterrupted continuous ring when the notched end portions are interfitted with each other as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and in solid lines in Fig. 3. A small stud 25 is provided on the bottom of the notch 23 in one half ring portion and a recess 27 is provided in the bottom of the notch in the other half ring portion so that when the two half ring portions 10 and 11 are positioned in their overlapped relation shown in Fig. 4, the interfitted stud 25 and recess 27 will tend to retain the parts in such position. 7

- The curtain gripping jaws 14 and 15 preferably are formed integrally with the semi-annular portion 19 of their respective half ring portions 10 and 11. Each jaw is elongated as at 28 to extend beyond the flat face 20 of each half ring portion 10 and 11 so that when the two jaws are in opposed relation as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, theyrwill be substantially coextensive with each other. The opposed faces of the jaws preferably are corrugated as at 30 to grip the curtain A firmly therebetween. The jaws are formed so as to close when the free end portions of the semi-annular portions 19, 19 are still separated laterally from each other as shown in broken lines in Fig. 3. By then seizing the two free ends of these semi-annular portions 19, 19 between the thumb and-forefinger and forcing them apart so as to pass each other, the two ends may be sprung into their overlapping interlocked relation shown in Figs. 3 and 4, wherein the stud 25 fits into the recess 27 to retain the parts in their closed, overlapped relation shown in solid lines in Fig. 3.

When the free ends of the ring are in their overlapped and interlocking relation the resilient distortion of the semi-annular portions 19, 19 creates opposing torque forces about the pivot pin 12 tending to force the two jaw members 14 and 15 together into gripping relation. These same forces exert no separating force on the overlapped ends 22, 22 of the semi-annular portions 19, 19, but on the contrary tends to press them even more firmly into interlocked relation. To free the ends 22 for separation and release of the jaws 14 and 15 the semi-annular portions may be seized between the thumb and forefinger and twisted or spread apart to allow the free ends 22, 22 to pass each other, whereupon the resiliency of the material as of which the ring is made will cause them to spring to their releasing position shown in broken lines in Fig. 3.

The ring C shown in Fig. 5 is substantially identical with that shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive with the exception that it is for manufacture from a suitable springy metal and therefore is more slender, particularly in the semi-annular portions 19a thereof which correspond to the portions 19, 19 of the ring shown in Figs. 1 to 4. Since the ring C is otherwise generally similar to the ring A shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the same reference numerals applied to ring A will be used to designate corresponding parts of ring C with the suflix a added.

For gripping a straight run of the curtain, which is desirable when no pleats are required at the end 31 (Fig. 1) thereof, a ringD (Figs. 1 and 6) may be employed. The ring D does not have the powerful gripping characteristics of the rings A and C shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, but is adequate to support the light, unpleated end portions of a curtain as shown in Fig. 1, while at the same time being sufiiciently similar in appearance and operation to permit its inclusion with the rings A or C as a part of a set.

The ring D comprises a pair of half ring portions 33 and 34 pivotally connected to each other in relatively reversed relation by a pin 35. Each half ring portion 33 and 3 comprises a semi-annular portion 37 with a notched free end portion 38 which overlaps and has interfitted relation with the corresponding free end of the other half ring portion associated therewith.

A pair of curved jaw portions 40 and 41 extend endwise from, and in reversely curved relation to, the semiannular portions 3'7 of the half-ring portions 33 and 34 respectively. Each of said jaws terminates in a corrugated curtain gripping face 42. The half ring portions 33 and 34 are flattened at 43 throughout their zones of wiping contact with each other upon relative pivotal movement with respect to each other.

The two overlapping end portions 38, 38 of the ring D are so formed as normally to be sprung laterally from each other in the same general manner as that illustrated for the ring A in broken lines in Fig. 3. This relatively off-sprung relation of the two halves of the ring D adds to the force with which the two overlapping end portions 38, 38 are pressed toward each other to increase the gripping action of the projection 25 in its corresponding recess when the ring D is closed as shown in Fig. 1 to grip a curtain. 7 However, since the two halves of the ring D pivot in the plane of the closed ring, the gripping force of the jaws 49 and 41 is not increased by the torque exerted in moving the free ends 38, 38 laterally into overlapping relation as in rings A and C, but only by the action of closing the ring which moves the jaws pivotally together.

A modified interlocking arrangement is shown in Fig. 7. This interlocking arrangement provides a stronger interconnection between the overlapping portions 38, 38 particularly for the ring D shown in Fig. 6. This interlocking arrangement comprises a saw-tooth ridge 45 extending entirely across the bottom face 38a of the notch in one overlapping end portion 38 into which the ridge 45 fits when the parts are in their closed, overlapped position as shown in Fig. 1.

For mounting the rings A or C and D on a curtain B as shown in Fig. 1, a pleat 43 is first formed at a desired point in the curtain by gripping the material of the curtain at its upper hem 49 between the thumb and forefinger. The ring A, for example, is then separated as explained previously herein to allow the two semi-annular portions 19, 19 to spring apart to their open position indicated in broken lines in Fig. 3. With the ring thus opened, a curtain rod 59 may be passed through the gap 51 (Fig. 3) between the open ends of the two semiannular portions 19, 19. The pleat 48 then is inserted between the open jaws 14 and 15 of the ring and the two upper semiecylindrical portions 19, 1.9 are sprung into '9 overlapping relation as explained previously herein and as shown in solid lines in Fig. 3. In this position of the parts, stud 25 is forced into the recess 27 to retain the ring in closed position and the jaws in firm gripping relation with the curtain. The end rings D as described previously herein may be clipped onto the straight end portion 31 of the curtain B and other rings A or B as the case may be may be mounted on additional pleats 48 formed as required throughout the length of the curtain.

The ring of the present invention is a simple, easily fabricated device which can be made with a single mold for the two half ring portions of any of the forms A, C or D. These molds may be constructed to form the stud 25 or tooth 45' on both half ring portions and one of these projections then may be removed and a corresponding recess 27 or groove 47 may be formed in the other half of the ring. The fact that the two halves of the rings A and C do not swing apart from each other in the plane of the ring greatly increases the gripping action of the jaws 14 and 1S and due to the torsional resilience of the semi-annular portions 19, 19 provides a considerable latitude in the thickness of material which can be gripped satisfactorily between the jaws. Furthermore, the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive reduces almost to zero the possibility of accidental opening of the rings when they are mounted on a curtain rod with the pleats of curtain material gripped therein.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the present'invention, it will be understood however, that various changes and modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A combined pleat former and curtain supporting device comprising a pair of half ring members formed to encircle a curtain rod, means pivotally connecting the half ring members to each other, means for retaining the half ring portions in closed, rod-encircling condition, and jaws mounted on said half ring portions beyond he pivotal connecting means from said rod encircling portions, said jaws having gripping faces thereon disposed along planes perpendicular to the axis of a rod encircled by said rod encircling portions, to form and grip an outwardly extending pleat of curtain material therebetween.

2. A clamp-on curtain support comprising a pair of cooperating members, each including a ring portion of springy material, and a planiform face disposed along a radial axial plane of the ring portion thereof, said two members being mounted with said faces in abuting relation with each other to position said ring portions in oppositely curved relation, pivot means axially penetrating the two abutting planiform faces of said members to connect said members for relative pivotal movement about said pin as an axis, the ends of said ring portions remote from said abutting faces being formed to overlap each other to retain the two ring portions in closed, complementary condition, and a pair of jaw portions formed one on each of said members to extend beyond the pivot pin from the ring portion thereof, said jaw portions having opposed jaw faces thereon disposed parallel to the pivot pin axis to grip a portion of a curtain therebetween with the ring portions swung to their closed, overlapping position.

3. A clamp-on curtain support comprising a pair of cooperating members connected together for relative pivotal movement, each including a ring portion on one side of the axis of pivotal connection, the plane of each ring portion being parallel to the axis of pivotal connection of said members, said ring portions being movable, upon a predetermined relative pivotal movement of said members, into closed, complementary relation, and a pair of jaw portions formed one on each of said members to extend beyond the axis of pivotal connection of said members from said ring portions and movable therewith, upon a ring closing pivotal movement of said members, to grip a portion of a curtain therebetween in a plane parallel to the plane of the ring portions.

4. A combined pleat former and curtain supportingdevice comprising a pair of half ring members, means pivotally connecting the half ring members to each other for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the planes of said half ring members for pivotal movement of said half ring members from open, out-swung condition to closed complementary condition, and a pair of clamping jaws mounted one on each half ring member, said jaws having opposed, gripping faces thereon disposed to form and grip an outstanding pleat fold of curtain material therebetween in a plane parallel to the plane of the half ring members in their closed, complementary condition.

5. A combined pleat former and curtain supporting device comprising a pair of oppositely curved members formed to encircle acurtain rod, means interconnecting said members for relative movement to open condition to free the rod, a pair of jaw members mounted one on each curved member with jaw faces 'formed thereon extending transversely of the length of a rod encircled by said curved members, said jaw members being mounted for movement toward each other upon a movement of said curved members to rod-encircling condition to form and grip anoutwardly extending pleat of curtain material therebetween in a plane perpendicular to the axis of a rod encircled by said curved members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,365,363 Adams Jan. 11, 1921 1,519,106 Beck Dec. 16, 1924 1,606,583 Ladd et a1. Nov. 9, 1926 2,560,975 Metzger July 17, 1951 2,597,224 Charron et a1. May 20, 1952v 

